No cleanse is exactly easy to do. The great thing about this one is it gives you the mental clarity and focus you need to get through it, requires the purchase of few (inexpensive) items, and allows you to eat!

I have used this cleanse to lose weight, get back lost energy and deal with stress/depression. I have been refining this cleanse for the last five years and finally broken it down to the essentials. The great thing about this cleanse is you never feel deprived!

The secret is not just to cut out bad substances, but to put in GOOD substances. This is perfect for first timers and also great for people looking to cleanse without going hungry.

Mental Preparation

If you are reading this, you are already mentally preparing for a cleanse. I find it helpful to make a list of all the reasons why you are choosing to clean your life at this time. What ails you? Is it stress from work? Is it poor eating habits that have you locked into a cycle of weight gain and depression? Is it a transitional period in your life? Think of doing a cleanse, not as a superficial act, but as a deep internal process. Be prepared to accept the challenge of dealing with any issues that may arise during the process. Many of us find that emotional/psychological issues that had been burried deep down begin to surface when we commit to healthy acts. You will confront temptations, and it is only through your strong desire to change your life for the better, that you will be able to overcome them.

To mentally prepare, make sure you read through the entire process and can visualize what the next two weeks of your life will look like. Accept that this will not be easy. Even though you will eat plenty of food, the foods are different than what you are physically and mentally acclimated to. When resistance surfaces, be willing to take an honest look at the underlying causes. Be ready to let go of negative thinking, and from an objective point of view, assess the areas of your life that you are ready to let go.

Supplements

Be prepared with the following supplements, which are basic and easy to find at any health or vitamin shop. If you have access to a naturopathic doctor, it is preferrable to get a customized regimine, rather than following this one. This is just what works for me and many others. For each, take as directed according to the lable.

Triphala - An Ayervedic herb that really helps curb appetite without jitteriness, and aids in mental clarity.

Psyllium Husks – Helps cleanse the colon!

Grapeseed extract – Especially for women who may have problems with yeast or urinary tract infections.

5-HTP Plus – This is a mood stabilizer, so ask your doctor if you are taking any prescription drugs. (I recommend this one by Douglas Laboratories for its high quality. It’s the best I’ve tried.)

Relax, Stretch, Move

The morning is the most crucial part of your day. It sets the tone for the rest of the time you are awake. After waking use the bathroom, have a glass of water, and bring your awareness to your body. Within half an hour of waking, find a quiet place and lay flat on your back, or sit with your legs crossed. Close your eyes and for about five minutes just listen to your body. Hear your heart beating, your muscles waking up and getting ready to move, your whole being relaxes and as you feel every part of yourself. Open your eyes and move into a few minutes of exercize (this will increase every day). Do whatever feels natural. Dance! Do lunges, sit ups, push ups etc. It doesn’t matter what you do, just get that body moving!

Drink

The next step is to cool down and have some tea. I recommend Purify by Laurel Tea. Choose a good detox tea that you feel comfortable drinking for the duration of your cleanse. Other than your detox tea of choice, you may drink water! Lots and lots of water! This will reduce your appetite and nourish your body. You have no idea how thirsty you are do you? Drink a minimum of 8 glasses per day, and more if you feel thirsty or are categorized as overweight or obese.

Eat

So, let’s start with what you absolutely CANNOT eat.

Pre-packaged foods (preservatives bad!)
Fast food (bad bad bad!)
Restaurant food (high calories bad!)
Refined sugar (sugar bad!)
Cornsyrup (all those drinks are bad!)
Bread (wheat, sugar and yeast together – very bad!)
Wheat anything (that means pasta, crackers etc.)

And just as a warning, you can have salt, but you’ll want to make sure it’s natural Sea Salt, and that you use only as much as you need to flavor food. Too much salt causes water retention and other health problems. So let’s use it in moderation.

You shouldn’t really even have to be checking labels on this cleanse, because all the food you will eat will be whole, natural and need you to prepare it.

So… now what you CAN eat. Hooray!

Brown, black or red rice (about 1-2 cups per day)
Fresh oils (like Hemp and Flaxseed, which need refrigeration)
Beans (any kind!)
Vegetables (any organic!)
Herbs & Spices
Salads (use your imagination when you combine leafy greens, sprouts, herbs, seeds, nuts, cheese, beans and fresh oils!)
Homemade soups (as long as the ingredients are veggies, chicken etc.)
Chicken, fish, shellfish, raw (sashimi) fish
Eggs (organic!)
Goat milk & goat cheese (delicious!)
Coconut milk (think about making some delicious Thai curry or soups)
Yogurt (as long as it’s plain, or only has honey as a sweetener, no sugary yogurts!)
Honey (yum! yum!)
Nuts

Some other things to limit: Fruits Because of their high sugar content, you want to watch your fruit intake. I recommend only 1 serving/day for the first two weeks. After that, maybe 2 per day.

Cow Dairy - If you can stand it and have access to quality products, stick with Goat dairy. Raw milk (if from a trusted source) from either cows or goats is preferred over pastuerized milk because of the probiotics present.

Total Abstinence Required

This should not come as a shock to anyone, but there are a few things that you may enjoy in life that you will need to give up if you want to cleanse your body.

Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol

If you can’t give them up at the beginning of the cleanse, you will have less progress, and not see the results you want right away. Of course, you will feel better after a while, and maybe down the road you can consider what it will take to break free of these addictions and make healthier choices for yourself.

Summary

This cleanse should last a minimum of 2 weeks, but can literally go on indefinitely. It’s a healthy diet emphasizing total body/mind connection and health. If you are overweight, depending on your metabolism and overall health, you will begin to lose weight as fast as possible. That means between 2 and 5 pounds a week for most people. This cleansing diet is healthy, but if you have a history of health problems, make sure to consult with your physician before you begin.